This weekend in Bloomington: Little 500, birding, cult-classic films
Whether or not you agree the Little 500 is the "world's greatest college weekend," it's undoubtedly a big one for Bloomington. In addition to the banner sporting event, with its women's race this Friday and men's race this Saturday, Bloomington is abuzz this weekend with movie screenings (including a certain beloved Bloomington and Little 500 themed movie), concerts and performances.
Going to the race? Will it be a 3-peat for Melanzana at this year's Little 500? What you need to know
Catch an '80s cult classic at The Orbit Room
Cult-classic teen sex comedy "Joysticks" is a snapshot of early '80s teen culture, ripe with teased hair, vibrant neon outfits and an arcade theme to tie it all together. When a wealthy businessman hatches a scheme to shut down the local arcade, a group of local nerds must come together to save it. The Orbit Room is at 107 N. College Ave. The 18-plus event begins at 7 p.m. and is free.
See the quintessential Bloomington film, 'Breaking Away,' at Bus-Chum
There's no movie so iconic to Bloomington as "Breaking Away," and there's no better weekend to watch the coming-of-age comedy than Little 500 weekend. After watching the men's race on Saturday, head to the Buskirk-Chumley to see the movie that made "cutters" an iconic title. A group of Bloomington-native best friends navigate growing up, falling in love and perfecting an Italian accent in this 1979 comedy that won the Academy Award for best original screenplay. The Buskirk-Chumley is at 114 E. Kirkwood Ave. Event begins at 7 p.m. Tickets are $7 for the general public, or $5 for students and can be purchased online at buskirkchumley.org/events.
Get your bird feeders cleaned and help the local Audubon group, too
Sassafras Audubon Society will have its spring bird feeder cleaning on Saturday at Bloomington Hardware, 2700 E. Covenanter Drive. Your feeders will be cleaned and sanitized to protect the birds you love. Feeders can be dropped off between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. and picked up between 2 and 4 p.m. Saturday. A donation of $5 per feeder is suggested. NOTE: There will be not early feeder drop-off.
Join Rainbow Birders at Griffy Lake on Saturday
The Rainbow Birders group, part of Spencer Pride, will host a hike at Griffy Lake Nature Preserve, 3400 N. Headley Road, for a morning venture to look for birds. The group will meet at 9 a.m. Everyone is welcome. In case of inclement weather, the group will host a bird-themed presentation at the community center in Spencer.
Get a 'taste of soul' at the IU Soul Revue
Spring is the perfect season for soul, and there's no better way to experience it than to groove to it live. Hear classic songs from the soul and R&B canon (think Supremes, Marvin Gaye, Al Green and Aretha Franklin) at the Monroe Convention Center at 7:30 p.m. Saturday. Complete with a cash bar, concessions and room to dance, this event hosted by the IU African American Arts Institute and the Buskirk-Chumley Theater is good for the soul. The center is at 302 S. College Ave. Tickets are $27 for the general public, or $17 for students and can be purchased online at buskirkchumley.org/events.
Find your missing 'piece' at the library puzzle swap
The only thing better than finishing a puzzle is immediately starting a new one. Save yourself a trip to Target and swap out your old completed puzzle with others at this event at the Monroe County Public Library downtown branch next Wednesday, April 24. The downtown branch is at 303 E Kirkwood Ave. Event begins at 5 p.m., and is free.
This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Little 500 this weekend in Bloomington, see Breaking Away at Bus-Chum
